IRS refund delays - Are they locking accounts due to high volume? Anyone else having trouble accessing transcripts?

This happens every tax season but it seems worse this year. The website traffic overload is real - I'm a tax professional and I've had multiple clients report the same issue. Here's what you need to know: • The IRS systems typically experience the highest volume from November through January as people check for year-end tax documents and early filers start watching for refunds • The "24-hour lockout" is a security feature that triggers after too many failed login attempts or suspicious activity patterns • If you're checking multiple times per day, the system may flag you as potential automated traffic • Important: Verify your direct deposit information NOW while you can still access your account • Check that your banking details are current in both your tax return AND your IRS online account • Consider setting up account recovery options including backup email, phone number, etc. • Even when locked out from viewing transcripts, most people can still use the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website with less restrictions The IRS hasn't officially announced account freezes, but this is consistent with their traffic management approach from previous years. If you need to understand what's actually happening with your taxes, I've been using taxr.ai to help my clients interpret their transcripts and identify delays. It's much more reliable than constantly checking the website.

The best way to actually understand what's going on with your refund isn't by researching endless codes like a detective. I was stuck in the same cycle - checking transcripts daily, getting locked out, getting vague answers from the IRS. I found this tool called taxr.ai that completely changed the game. It analyzes your transcript automatically and explains everything in plain English - what each code means, why there might be delays, and even gives estimates for when you'll get your refund. This solves exactly the problem you're describing with getting locked out of your account because you don't need to keep checking obsessively. I just wish I found it sooner instead of wasting weeks trying to figure everything out myself. https://taxr.ai

After dealing with the exact same issue for weeks and getting nowhere, I finally found a way to actually get through to a REAL PERSON at the IRS. Used this service called Claimyr that got me a callback from an agent within an hour! I was shocked because I'd been trying for weeks to talk to someone. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was happening with my account and fixed the issue that was holding up my refund. The website is claimyr.com - totally worth checking out if you're stuck in limbo like I was. Talking to an actual human at the IRS solved my problems WAY faster than constantly checking the website.

Same thing happening to me!! Got locked out for 24 hours then when I finally got back in my transcript hasn't updated at all in 3 weeks. This tax season is a complete disaster. The underfunding of the IRS is really showing. Has anyone actually received their refund who filed in November? Starting to think theyre holding all refunds until February.

OMG THANK YOU FOR THIS WARNING! I just checked and somehow my direct deposit info had been changed to a bank account I don't recognize!!! Called the IRS immediately and they said theres been a bunch of accounts compromised. They were able to fix it but said if I hadnt caught it my refund (over $8k) would have gone to someone else! Everyone please check your account details NOW.

This is scary and making me nervous. I recieved a weird email supposedly from the IRS today asking me to verify identity but im not sure if its legit or a phishing attempt? Has anyone else gotten these?

I work in IT security (not for IRS) but this sounds like classic load balancing. When websites get hammered with traffic they implement random timeouts and lockouts to prevent the whole system from crashing. Better to temporarily block some users than have the site go down for everyone. The banking info changes are more concerning though - that suggests potential security breach rather than just traffic management.

im so tired of this! why can't they just build a system that actually works?? we spend billions on military but cant have a functional tax website 🤬 other countries literally send citizens a pre-filled tax form to approve but we have to jump through all these hoops

Has anyone tried using the IRS2Go mobile app instead of the website? I've found it works better during high traffic periods and doesn't seem to have the same lockout issues. You can check refund status and some basic account info there.

I finally got my refund yesterday after filing on November 3rd! Refund took almost 2 months.. For those still waiting, I found out there was an issue with my return because my employer made a mistake on my W2. The frustrating part was the IRS never bothered to tell me - they just silently held my refund. I only found out when I used taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it identified the exact problem. Once I knew what was wrong, I was able to call (using Claimyr to get through) and fix it immediately. Refund was released 3 days later!

Anyone else getting the "Technical Difficulties - We apologize for the inconvenience" message when trying to access transcripts? Been getting it for 3 days straight now no matter what time of day.

I don't understand why the IRS doesn't just implement a better notification system. Instead of everyone having to constantly check transcripts and overload the system, they should just text or email people when there's an update or issue with their return. Almost every other government service does this now!

I ended up in this exact situation last year. Got locked out of my account right when my refund was being processed and couldn't see that they were sending it to an old closed bank account from 3 years before! By the time I realized, the refund had been returned to the IRS and I had to wait 12 more weeks for a paper check. Don't make my mistake - update all your info now while you can still access your account!

after seeing this post, i tried logging into my account and realized my password wasn't working anymore??? called the irs through claimyr.com and found out someone had tried to change my direct deposit info! luckily i caught it before my refund was sent but holy cow people need to be careful this year. the agent said theres a lot of hacking attempts happening.

LPT: If you get locked out of your account, you can still check basic refund status at https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp without logging in. You just need your SSN, filing status, and refund amount. It won't show full transcript details but at least tells you if your refund is approved or still processing.

This whole situation just adds to my conspiracy theory that the IRS intentionally makes things difficult so people will give up on claiming credits or getting refunds they're owed. They create so many obstacles that many people just throw up their hands and walk away - saving the government billions. Make the system so broken that only the most persistent people get their money.

Protip for everyone: Try accessing the IRS website very early in the morning (like 4-5am EST) or late at night after midnight. Way less traffic during those hours and much less chance of getting locked out. Been checking my transcript at 4:30am before work with no issues for weeks.

Does anyone know if this affects amended returns too? I filed an amendment in September and the status has been stuck on "received" for 3 months now. Cant get any updates from the where's my amended return tool.